Chapter 111

The subtle changes in the situation on the field did not give fans an intuitive sense.

Arsenal fans continued to chant their cheering slogans.

Leverkusen fans remained extremely tense.

From their perspective: Arsenal's attack continued to threaten Leverkusen's defensive line.

Including Duan Xuan and He Wei, they also could not see many clues.

"Arsenal is currently leading by two goals; they are not rushing to attack!"

"Appropriately slow down the pace a bit, maintain possession, reduce mistakes!"

"The match will gradually turn into a positional battle!"

Cazorla had a headache.

He tried various ways to speed up, but could no longer launch a partial passing-and-cutting offensive.

That Lewokusen number 10 seemed to see through all of Arsenal's attacking methods.

He always appeared at the right moment in the correct position, cutting off Arsenal's passing lanes.

Fortunately, Lewokusen's advancing method was very simple.

Arsenal could easily choke the opponent's midfield and forward.

"We are leading by two goals; as long as we slow the tempo, we just wait for the match to end."

"Losing possession doesn't matter; when Lewokusen attacks, there are many gaps in the midfield and backline."

Time passed minute by minute.

Possession changed hands several times.

Li Kang likewise could not help Lewokusen complete the advance.

Giroud kept pressing him, delaying the ball release speed.

Arsenal's defensive system was like an iron rod, completely disconnecting Lewokusen's midfield and forward lines.

As for crashing straight into a one-on-one with the back line?

He tried, but the strong Cahill and the "two-meter giant" Mertesacker blocked his impact.

Li Kang tried to shift the ball-release point backward.

He attempted to have Krammer link up with the two full-backs, thereby shifting the attacking weight.

Unfortunately.

Cazorla's vision and awareness were terrifying; he could always timely direct teammates to make interceptions.

Two generations of top-tier midfielders from the Spanish national team.

In silence, he completed one showdown after another.

Beep! Beep-beep~

The head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half!

"A slightly dull first half, Arsenal gave us a brief visual treat!"

"Their gorgeous attack yielded two goals!"

Lewokusen teammates were no longer discouraged.

That kind of spiritual leader who rouses the troops with a single call, making teammates tremble, has long been worn away by the increasingly fierce football tactical reforms in the tide of time.

Only by scoring goals or possessing the strength to change the situation can teammates' dejection be dispelled.

"Li! Wipe your sweat! Drink some water!"

Bellalabi ran from the bench and eagerly handed over a dry towel.

The German black player's ability to read the situation is top-notch.

He observed from the sidelines with great clarity.

It was Li Kang who changed the course of the game, suppressing Arsenal's passing-and-cutting attack!

He's much stronger than that Calhanoglu guy!

Following Li Kang, Lewokusen will surely lift a championship trophy.

Perform better yourself, strive for more playing time...

Lewokusen locker room.

Dino carefully reviewed the tactical details of the first half.

"Advancing is our biggest problem right now!"

Upon hearing this.

The Lewokusen players all shook their heads helplessly.

In the first half of the season, Arsenal's head-on defensive capability was too fierce.

"Calhanoglu brimmed with confidence, saying: 'Our attacking tempo should be a bit faster! Also, the forwards' runs lack enough layering!'"

Dino shrugged: 'Calhanoglu the Ball King isn't wrong, but it doesn't fit Lewokusen's current situation!'

Barça, Real Madrid, Bayern and other giants can push the overall tempo to the extreme!

How are we supposed to play with Lewokusen's developing youngsters?

Tuopu Laotou pulled Li Kang aside and said seriously: 'Li! Can you slow down your ball release? Let our attacking tempo be a bit slower!'

Li Kang stared.

Two goals behind, and we still have to slow the ball release and attacking tempo?

Since he entered Lewokusen's first team.

He has made his own style increasingly match his teammates', playing a wide fast break, and even unwilling to use any dribbling move that would delay the attacking opportunity.

Tuopu Laotou pressed down with both hands: 'Right! Slower! I don't know why either, but your La Masia seniors all taught Arsenal like that!'

We're already two goals behind, there's nothing we can't afford to lose.

Let's try!

If we don't concede, and the second leg is played at home, we still have a chance.

Take it slow, it's faster.

The old man wouldn't say such demoralizing words in front of everyone.

He is a German born in the 1950s, very concerned about saving face!

Li Kang smiled and nodded.

Arsenal locker room.

A bouquet of roses is placed.

This is Wenger's habit of many years.

Before each match, he puts a bouquet of flowers matching the opponent's home kit color in the locker room.

Even when facing arch-rival Tottenham Hotspur, he does the same.

"There are 25 carnivorous animals in the locker room; they can sense the slightest twitch of the coach's eyelashes and feel his tiniest weakness."

"But the coach must have confidence in himself; you are a guide who sees things with a certain clarity, and must show humility."

This is Wenger's locker room philosophy.

There aren't many fiery words.

After assistant coach Boerde had set up the tasks for the second half.

Every Arsenal player will seize the time to rest.

The fifteen-minute halftime break ended quickly.

The players from both sides returned to the pitch!

"Good evening, friends! We are now broadcasting live the second half of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League round of 16!"

"Arsenal versus Leverkusen!"

"Both head coaches have not yet used their substitution quotas!"

"Let's look forward to the exciting showdown ahead!"

Beep!

Accompanied by a whistle from the head referee.

The second half officially begins!

Leverkusen in possession.

Kiessling kicks the ball with his weaker foot back to Li Kang!

Players from both sides immediately launch into frantic running!

Especially Giroud, this guy.

He looks bulky, but his explosive speed off the ball is not slow!

He charges eagerly toward Li Kang!

Maintaining the half‑field press without trying to win the ball.

Li Kang taps the ball with his left foot, preparing to shake off Arsenal's striker's harassment in the simplest way.

In a hazy moment.

He recalled the old man Tuopu's words.

Take it slow, it's actually faster!

In his vision, a faint figure wearing a number‑6 red‑and‑blue jersey gradually appears.

Xavi.

Giroud steps close, and he suddenly realizes Li Kang seems off!

Spaced out?

Your generation of young players has a bit weak mental fortitude!

Arsenal's striker strides forward with long legs!

Li Kang actually cuts the ball with the inside of his rear foot and turns!

Giroud steps on empty air!

His face is full of bewilderment!

Spinning around?

Too slow, huh?

He decisively bumps forward with his butt!

Leverkusen's number 10 cuts the ball with the outside of his left foot and turns; his body moves like a compass, drawing another circle!

Giroud falls flat on the ground!

The crowd erupts in an uproar!

"Xavi?"

"The magic of love, spinning around!"

"After Li Kang shakes off his defender, why doesn't he pass the ball quickly?"

"There's an open space ahead; why not bring the ball there quickly?"

From God's perspective.

As he does two slow turns.

Leverkusen's overall formation has not broken down.

Li Kang finally realized:

Hawei "Turn" module, when used near the middle circle, is not an evasive maneuver but a means of slow propulsion.

Taking it slow is actually faster.